"The Simpsons" Much Apu About Nothing (1996)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Susie Dietter

Writers:

Matt Groening (creator)
James L. Brooks (developer) ...

TV Series:

"The Simpsons" (1989)

Original Air Date:

5 May 1996 (Season 7, Episode 23)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy

Plot:

Anti-Immigration fever sweeps Springfield, which threatens to lead to the deportation of of Apu, until Homer decides to reject the mob mentality, and help him become a legal citizen. |

Plot Keywords:

Air Bag | Illegal Immigrant | Immigrant | Bear | Nuclear Power

Cast

Dan Castellaneta	...	Homer Simpson / Barney Gumble / Mayor Quimby / Groundskeeper Willie (voice)
Julie Kavner	...	Marge Simpson (voice)
Nancy Cartwright	...	Bart Simpson (voice)
Yeardley Smith	...	Lisa Simpson (voice)
Hank Azaria	...	Moe Szyslak / Chief Wiggum / Apu (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pamela Hayden	...	Milhouse Van Houten / Jimbo Jones / Rod Flanders / Others (voice)
Tress MacNeille	...	Agnes Skinner / Dolph / Others (voice)
Joe Mantegna	...	Fat Tony (voice)
Maggie Roswell	...	Maude Flanders / Helen Lovejoy / Miss Hoover / Luann Van Houten / Others (voice)
Harry Shearer	...	Mr. Burns / Ned Flanders / Rev. Lovejoy / Principal Skinner / Waylon Smithers / Kent Brockman / Others (voice)
Russi Taylor	...	Martin Prince / Sherri / Terri / Others (voice)

Runtime:

Argentina:30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:Atp

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

This episode's title spoofs the title of William Shakespeare's play "Much Ado About Nothing".

Goofs:

Plot holes: Apu doesn't get deported because he takes the citizenship test and becomes a legal citizen; however, Proposition 24 says nothing about "illegal" immigrants. It merely states that all immigrants are to be deported.

Quotes:

Mayor Quimby: Are these morons getting dumber or just louder?
Mayor's Assistant: Dumber, sir.

Soundtrack:

America the Beautiful

***1/2 / **** Excellent episode with a surprisingly touching Apu

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This is one of the funnier episodes to deal with the sleazy Mayor Quimby. When a bear visits Springfield, there is panic. "Think of the children" screams someone as the citizens protest in front of Quimby's office. Homer naturally leads the way singing, "We're here, we're Queer, and we don't want any more bears!"

The increased security causes an increase in the tax. Sensing public anger, Quimby again deflects it by blaming all the problems on immigrants. This lands the Kwik-E-Mart operator Apu in a soup. The Simpson family joins together in helping Apu pass his citizenship exam.

Apu's dilemma is surprisingly touching. We feel for him when he weeps, because he thinks he has dishonored his parents.

Overall: ***1/2 / **** Excellent episode with a surprisingly touching Apu